In October 2004, 71% of all occupied private dwellings in New South Wales (NSW) were separate houses, while 19% were flats or apartments. The predominance was greater in the Balance of NSW where 86% were separate houses compared to 62% for Sydney. The Sydney Major Statistical Region (MSR) accounted for 62% of all households.

Tenure type

Over two-thirds (68%) of all households owned their current dwelling, either with or without a mortgage. In Sydney 30% of occupied private dwellings were owned without a mortgage, compared with 40% for the Balance of NSW.

Length of time at current address

The majority (64%) of households had lived at their current address for three years or longer, while 19% had lived at their current address for less than one year.

Modifications

Modifications to the dwelling are a way of making existing accommodation more suitable for older people or people with a disability. Dwellings which were owned without a mortgage were more likely to be modified (12%), compared with owned dwellings with a mortgage and rented dwellings (both 4%). The most common modifications were the installation of handgrab rails (74%), followed by toilet/bath/laundry modifications (39%), and ramps (23%).

MOVERS

Selected characteristics

In October 2004, of the 2,576,600 households in NSW, 25% (635,100) had moved in the previous three years. Almost one-fifth (18%) had moved once and 7% had moved twice or more.

Household type

In NSW, the households most likely to have moved in the last three years were one parent families (32%) and lone persons (31%). In contrast, 25% of couples with children had moved during the same period. In Sydney, 27% of one parent families had moved, compared with 38% in the Balance of NSW.

MOVERS, By household type - October 2004

Dwelling type

Households that lived in a separate house were least likely to have moved, with 20% (369,300) having moved in the last three years. In contrast, 38% (183,300) of households that lived in a flat or apartment had moved.

Tenure type

In the last three years, 9% (81,600) of households that owned their dwelling without a mortgage had moved, compared to 44% (341,700) of renters and 23% (201,100) of home owners with a mortgage.

Reasons for moving

Households that moved in the last three years stated the main reasons for moving were 'To live in a better area' (21%) and that the previous 'Dwelling was not suitable' (19%).

Future movers

Approximately 20% of movers indicated they were likely to move again in the next twelve months. In contrast, 8% of non-movers intended to move within the next twelve months.

Modifications

Households that did not move in the last three years were more likely to have modified their home for older people or people with a disability (8%), compared with 2% of movers.

LIKELY TO MOVE IN NEXT TWELVE MONTHS

Selected characteristics

In October 2004, 11% (275,200) of households indicated they were likely to move from their current dwelling within the next 12 months. One parent families were more likely to move (14%) than couple families with children (9%).

Reasons likely to move

Of those households likely to move in the next twelve months, 24% indicated the main reason for moving would be 'To build or buy a new dwelling' and 17% intended to move 'To live in a better area'.